BIOMECHATRONICS – 21021

The word biomechatronics is a contraction of the words biology, mechanics, and electronics. The field of biomechatronics is part of the larger realms of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, biomechatronics involves electronic and mechanical devices that duplicate human body parts and their functions.
Biomechatronics has received more attention in Japan than in the United States. In Japan, some robot researchers attack their problems with religious zeal. Not only would Japanese robotics engineers like to build robots that can do all the things people can do, but some want their robots to look like people, too. The ultimate biomechatronic device is an android. Scientists generally agree that an intelligent android will not be developed for many years.

The problem of making androids can be approached from two directions. On the one hand, biological robots might be grown in laboratories by a process of cloning. This idea is clouded by profound ethical issues. On the other hand, engineers can try to build a mechanical robot with the dexterity and intelligence of a human being. This notion, too, brings up ethical questions, but to a lesser degree.